Electromechanical eye for toy

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical eye for toys includes an outer shell, an eyeball, and a spring. The outer shell is engageable with the eyeball by the spring. The outer shell is arranged with a first electromagnetic member and a second electromagnetic member. The eyeball is arranged with a magnetic member. The first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member are deactivated for simulating a normal state of the electromechanical eye. Either the first electromagnetic member or the second electromagnetic member is activated to generate a magnetic force for moving the eyeball, so as to simulate a vivid state of the electromechanical eye.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to toys, and more particularly to an electromechanical eye for a toy.

2. Description of Related Art

Most toys include mechanical eyes. However, the range of movement and control of the mechanical eyes are limited, thus a child playing with the toy may quickly lose interest in the toy. Therefore, it is desired to overcome the described shortcomings and deficiencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electromechanical eye in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electromechanical eye of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electromechanical eye of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an electromechanical eye 10 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The electromechanical eye 10 may be used in toys, such as a teddy bear or a doll. As illustrated, the electromechanical eye 10 generally includes an outer shell 100 and an eyeball 200. The outer shell 100 can be considered as an eyelid. The eyelid 100 defines a first or front opening 102. The eyeball 200 is movably or rotatably received in the eyelid 100. The eyeball 200 defines an iris 202. The color of the iris 202 may be black. As illustrated, the iris 202 of the eyeball 200 is located in the first opening 102, for simulating a normal state of the electromechanical eye 10. As used herein, “normal state” may refer to the iris 202 exposed, seen, and/or viewable. The electromechanical eye 10 may also be operated at a vivid state, which will be described hereinafter. As used herein, “vivid state” may refer to the state when the eyeball 200 is rotated with respect to the eyelid 100, such that the iris 202 moves to simulate a real eye. For example, the iris 202 may be partially hidden in the eyelid 100 and partially viewable from the first opening 102.

Also referring to FIG. 2, a rear view of the electromechanical eye 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The eyelid 100 further defines a second or rear opening 106 opposite to the first opening 102. Adjacent to the second opening 106, a plurality of electromagnetic members 104 on an outside of the eyelid 100 is provided. The plurality of electromagnetic members 104 are arranged around the second opening 106, and are symmetrically distributed with respect to the second opening 106 in a circular manner.

The eyeball 200 is provided with a plurality of magnetic members 204. The plurality of magnetic members 204 is symmetrically distributed on an out surface of the eyeball 200 and also in a circular manner. Each of the plurality of magnetic members 204 is disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of electromagnetic members 104. In one implementation, the plurality of magnetic members 204 may be made of magnetizable metal, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. In other implementation, the plurality of magnetic members 204 may be magnets. Each of the plurality of magnetic members 204 may be acted by an attractive magnetic force generated by activating a corresponding electromagnetic member 104.

Further referring to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the electromechanical eye 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated, the eyelid 100 of the electromechanical eye 10 includes a first shell 110 and a second shell 120. The first shell 110 and the second shell 120 may be assembled together by known mechanisms, such as hooks, latches, and/or screws. Because the first shell 110 and a second shell 120 can be detached or separated, the eyeball 200 may be easily placed in the eyelid 100 in assembly. Although the eyelid 100 is shown to be formed with two parts, in other implementations, the eyelid 100 may be integrally formed by one part.

As illustrated, the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 cooperatively define a first slot 108 at an inner side 150 of the first shell 110 and the second shell 120. The first slot 108 generally has a circular shape. The eyeball 200 defines a second slot 206 around an out surface of the eyeball 200. The second slot 206 also has a circular shape.

As illustrated, the electromechanical eye 10 further includes a spring 300. The spring 300 is engageably coupled to the eyelid 100 and the eyeball 200. The spring 300 includes an outer coil 302 and an inner coil 304. The outer coil 302 and the inner coil 304 are circular shaped and are concentric. The outer coil 302 and the inner coil 304 are connected together end by end, thereby a single piece element is formed. The outer coil 302 is engageably receivable in the first slot 108. The inner coil 304 is engageably receivable in the second slot 206.

When the electromechanical eye 10 is assembled, the simulate eye 10 may be operated to simulate a normal state and a vivid state.

At the normal state, the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 is deactivated. As used herein, “deactivated” may refer to the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 not supplied with electric power, that is, no magnetic force is generated between the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 and the plurality of magnetic members 204. Because there is no magnetic force, the eyeball 200 is at a first position with respect to the eyelid 100 by the spring 300. At the first position, the iris 202 of the eyeball 200 is exposed out of the first/front opening 102.

When one of the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 is selectively activated, an attractive magnetic force is generated between the activated electromagnetic member 104 and a corresponding magnetic member 204. As used herein, “activated” may refer to one of the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 being supplied with electric power. When the magnetic member 204 is applied with the attractive magnetic force, the eyeball 200 and the magnetic member 204 rotate together accordingly. At the same time, the spring 300 becomes resiliently deformed to generate an elastic force. The magnetic force is balanced with the elastic force, so as to position the eyeball 200 at a second position with respect to the eyelid 100. At the second position, the electromechanical eye 10 is in the vivid state. When the activated electromagnetic member is no longer activated, the attractive magnetic force is released, thereby the eyeball 200 returns to the first position by the elastic force of the spring 300.

In another operation, another electromagnetic member 104 other than the electromagnetic member 104 describe above may be selectively activated, and the eyeball 200 may be moved from the normal state or the first position to the vivid state or the second position from a different direction.

As described above, the electromechanical eye 10 may be operated to simulate an normal state and a vivid state by selectively activating the plurality of electromagnetic members 104. Therefore, the electromechanical eye 10 may appear vivid to the users such as kids.

Certain terminology is used herein for the convenience of the reader only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. For example, words such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and the like merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. The element or elements of any embodiment of the present disclosure may be oriented in any direction, and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless otherwise specified.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

For example, in other implementations, the plurality of electromagnetic members 104 may be provided on the outer surface of the eyeball 200. Correspondingly, the plurality of magnetic members 204 may be provided on the outside of the eyelid 100, and are disposed adjacent to the second opening 106. 

1 An electromechanical eye for toys, the electromechanical eye comprising: an outer shell defining a first opening, the outer shell arranged with a first electromagnetic member and a second electromagnetic member, the first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined manner; an eyeball defining an iris, the eyeball with the iris capable of being moveably received in the outer shell, the eyeball further arranged with a first magnetic member, the eye ball capable of being positioned at a first position with respect to the outer shell when the first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member are deactivated, the eyeball also capable of being moved from the first position to a second position with respect to the outer shell when either the first electromagnetic member or the second electromagnetic member is activated to generate a magnetic force therebetween; and a spring engaged with the outer shell and the eyeball, the spring capable of being resiliently deformed when either the first electromagnetic member or the second electromagnetic member is activated for moving the eyeball from the first position to the second position, the spring also capable of releasing a spring energy when the first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member are deactivated for returning the eyeball from the second position to the first position.
 2. The electromechanical eye according to claim 1, wherein at the first position the iris of the eyeball is viewable from the first opening for simulating a normal state of the electromechanical eye, and wherein at the second position the iris of the eyeball is rotated away for simulating a vivid state of the electromechanical eye.
 3. The electromechanical eye according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic member is arranged corresponding to the first electromagnetic member, the eyeball is further arranged with a second magnetic member corresponding to the second electromagnetic member, when the first magnetic member is activated, a first magnetic force is generated between the first electromagnetic member and the first magnetic member, such that the eyeball is moved from the first position to the second position in a first direction, when the second magnetic member is activated, a second magnetic force is generated between the second electromagnetic member and the second magnetic member, such that the eyeball is moved from the first position to the second position in a second direction.
 4. The electromechanical eye according to claim 3, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, and the first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member are arranged around the second opening and are symmetrically distributed with respect to the second opening.
 5. The electromechanical eye according to claim 3, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are exposed out of the second opening when the first electromagnetic member and the second electromagnetic member are deactivated, the first magnetic member is capable of being not exposed out of the second opening when the first magnetic member is activated, and the second magnetic member is capable of being not exposed out of the second opening when the second magnetic member is activated.
 6. The electromechanical eye according to claim 1, wherein an inner side of the outer shell defines a first slot for engageably receiving a first part of the spring, an outer side of the eyeball defines a second slot for engageably receiving a second part of the spring.
 7. The electromechanical eye according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic member is made of magnetizable metal, and the magnetizable metal is selected from a group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
 8. An electromechanical eye for toys, the electromechanical eye comprising: an outer shell defining a first opening, the outer shell arranged with a plurality of electromagnetic members, the plurality of electromagnetic members being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined manner; and an eyeball defining an iris, the eyeball with the iris capable of being rotatably received in the outer shell, the eyeball further arranged with at least one magnetic member, the iris of the eyeball capable of being viewed from the first opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members are deactivated, the iris of the eyeball further capable of being rotated with respect to the outer shell by a magnetic force generated by selectively activating one of the plurality of electromagnetic members.
 9. The electromechanical eye according to claim 8, further comprising: a spring engaged with the outer shell and the eyeball, the spring being configured to return the eyeball to a position where the iris is viewable from the first opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members is deactivated.
 10. The electromechanical eye according to claim 9, wherein the spring is integrally formed with an outer coil and an inner coil, an inner side of the outer shell defines a first slot for engageably receiving the outer coil of the spring, an outer side of the eyeball defines a second slot for engageably receiving the inner coil of the spring.
 11. The electromechanical eye according to claim 8, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, the plurality of electromagnetic members is arranged around the second opening and is symmetrically distributed with respect to the second opening.
 12. The electromechanical eye according to claim 8, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, the at least one magnetic member is exposed out of the second opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members is deactivated, at least one of the plurality of magnetic members is capable of being not exposed out of the second opening when at least one of the plurality of electromagnetic members is activated.
 13. The electromechanical eye according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of magnetic members is made of magnetizable metal, and the magnetizable metal is selected from a group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
 14. An electromechanical eye for toys, the electromechanical eye comprising: an outer shell defining a first opening, the outer shell arranged with a plurality of magnetic members; and an eyeball defining an iris, the eyeball with the iris capable of being rotatably received in the outer shell, the eyeball further arranged with a plurality of electromagnetic members, each of the plurality of electromagnetic members being disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of magnetic members, the iris of the eyeball capable of being viewed from the first opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members being deactivated, the iris of the eyeball further capable of being acted by a magnetic force generated by selectively activating one of the plurality of electromagnetic members, so as to rotate with respect to the outer shell, thereby the iris of the eyeball is capable of partially viewable from the first opening.
 15. The electromechanical eye according to claim 14, further comprising: a spring engaged with the outer shell and the eyeball, the spring being configured to return the eyeball to a position where the iris is viewable from the first opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members is deactivated.
 16. The electromechanical eye according to claim 15, wherein an inner side of the outer shell defines a first slot for engageably receiving a first coil of the spring, an outer side of the eyeball defines a second slot for engageably receiving a second coil of the spring.
 17. The electromechanical eye according to claim 14, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, the plurality of magnetic members is arranged around the second opening and is symmetrically distributed with respect to the second opening.
 18. The electromechanical eye according to claim 14, wherein the outer shell further defines a second opening, the plurality of electromagnetic members is exposed out from the second opening when the plurality of electromagnetic members is deactivated, and at least one of the plurality of electromagnetic members is capable of not viewable from the second opening when at least one of the plurality of electromagnetic members is activated.
 19. The electromechanical eye according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of magnetic members is made of magnetizable metal, and the magnetizable metal is selected from a group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
 20. The electromechanical eye according to claim 14, wherein the outer shell comprises a first shell and a second shell, and the first shell and the second shell are capable of detachably assembled to place the eyeball in the outer shell. 